My 75g re-build

[lokii_37]

I have needed to re-do my stand for my 75 for awhile now, it's just a 2x4 frame. Here is how far I have gotten in building my new stand. Its still a 2x4 frame but i have added plywood on the outside as well as trim around the top and bottom.



I will be staining it and sealing it this weekend as well as adding the doors. Built it so that it will be able to hold a 120G when i decide that i am ready for an upgrade. The 50G is built in to it now so I am upgrading from my current 30G sump to a 50G sump. I am taking a few days off work for my birthday the first weekend in november so i will be transfering everything then. With any luck i will be able to build a new rock structure that weekend too.

 

[lokii_37]

One more picture

 

[northbay-reefer]

Nice job on the stand. The sump is tall so your access space is going to be limited, are you going to be cutting that tank down?

 

[Grant W]

Nice detailing on the stand. What finish are you going to use on it?

 

[zeroinverse]

I opted for an open stand design so I can get full "length" access to my sump.

There are designs for using 2x4 to make this design.

Not that you'd change your stand build now...

 

[lokii_37]

Nice job on the stand. The sump is tall so your access space is going to be limited, are you going to be cutting that tank down?

Do you mean just cutting the top 3-4 inches off of the sump? I would like to not have to deal with the brace getting in the way. I'm only going to be putting about 10" of water in it. Will it be ok with out the brace?

 

[lokii_37]

Nice detailing on the stand. What finish are you going to use on it?

I'm going to be using minmax stain followed be several layers of polyurethane. I'm open for ideas if there is something better?

 

[lokii_37]

View attachment 207032
I opted for an open stand design so I can get full "length" access to my sump.

There are designs for using 2x4 to make this design.

Not that you'd change your stand build now...

I was thinking about doing the same thing bit obviously went a different way It doesn't seen like much but now that the center 2x4 it there I could see how it could get in the way.

Do you just take the front off your stand to get into it? How do you have it attached? I was going to use hinges for my doors but unlike the idea of being able to take them off completely if needed.

 

[northbay-reefer]

Do you mean just cutting the top 3-4 inches off of the sump? I would like to not have to deal with the brace getting in the way. I'm only going to be putting about 10" of water in it. Will it be ok with out the brace?

Yes you will be fine without the brace if you are only going to have about 10 inch of water all the time. I would cut only part of the sump though and leave the bracing at one end to use as a place to hold the drain pipes coming from the tank.

 

[Grant W]

You will def want to cut that sump down or it will be a real bugger to do any kind of maintenance not to mention getting a skimmer cup or body out for service.

 

[lokii_37]

That is a problem I dont want to have to deal with any more. In my current stand I only have 2" of clearance between my collection cup and the top of the stand. Getting the cup out is not that big of a deal but trying to get the skimmer out to work on it is a major PITA.

The new stand gives me 14" of clearance between the top of the sump and the top of the stand but I will def be cutting it down a little. No need for such a tall sump if it only has 10" of water in it.

 

[Grant W]

Sounds right. If we can figure out a time I have all the acrylic cutting blades if you need a hand.

 

[lokii_37]

Well it's coming along. I still need to put a few more coats of urethane on it.

I took your advice Grant and cut a door in the side so I can slide the sump out if I need to, for cleaning or whatever. It made it a lot easier to seal the inside without the sump in there

I also cut down the sump so it will be easier to get my skimmer and other stuff in and out. Thanks for the advice Tom.

 

[lokii_37]

 

[Grant W]

Nice job, coming along now. Keep us updated.

 

[northbay-reefer]

I like the finish. I would sand it lightly with 800 grits and put on another coat of stains before urethane, sand again and then urethane to finish.

 

[lokii_37]

I have enough extra wood do that I can close up the back of the stand if I wanted to. Is there any advantages or disadvantages to having a closed stand?

 

[northbay-reefer]

I never put a back on my stand because I like full access when I need to. Also I like the skimmer to have some fresh air so I like to leave the back open.

 

[Grant W]

Ventilation is good but a solid back will add a lot of stiffness to the stand, like a sheer wall in a house.

 

[lokii_37]

I finally got the last 2 coats of urethane on the doors.

View attachment ImageUploadedByTapatalk1351355992.813787.jpg
I'm pretty happy with the way it came out.

Now I just have to get as much prep work done for the move next weekend. I'm going to build a rock structure in the next few days and add a couple baffles to the sump.

What are your thoughts on drilling the top of the stand so the overflow and return can go straight thru? I probably should have done it before I finished it but I am still considering doing it now.